PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as his claimed stressors are consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of his service. The Board finds that he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensure all necessary development has been completed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that his reported stressors are related to his in-service fear of hostile military activity and have resulted in a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from March 29, 2007 until July 9, 2009. Beginning on July 9, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms such as nightmares, intrusive thoughts, social avoidance, mild hypervigilance, and difficulty concentrating. Despite these symptoms, the overall impairment in social and occupational functioning is considered very mild due to comorbid conditions like alcohol dependence and personality disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his military service, including fear of hostile military action while serving in Vietnam and an imminent danger area in Afghanistan. As such, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with depression and onychomycosis of the toenails, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to February 5, 2009, were denied by the Board. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and residuals of a cyst in groin area are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate his alleged stressor events in service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 9, 1995 and is considered disabling enough to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified in-service stressor. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is also considered, but the issue of an increased rating remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional psychiatric treatment records. The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected PTSD with mood disorder.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran seeks an increased disability rating for his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The RO has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in GAF scores and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations of his service-connected PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, as well as the need to obtain recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for further examination and to obtain updated medical records. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent disability rating, effective September 28, 2007. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.